PB2: Low-Calorie Peanut Butter with the Same Taste

If you give me a jar of peanut butter, there is a guarantee that I will start eating it by the spoonful. Creamy, sticky and comforting peanut butter is one of those foods I just can't resist. Unfortunately, it isn't calorie- or fat-free -- the downside to most comforting foods.

I love to look at the new products on the organic aisle in grocery stores in hopes that I will stumble upon something interesting and healthy. Recently I found the best thing to add to my diet, PB2. PB2 is powdered peanut butter that has 85 percent fewer fat calories than regular peanut butter. Seems to good too be true? I beg to differ.

Add a tablespoon of water to two tablespoons of PB2 to make a serving size of peanut butter.

Now, I bet you're wondering how peanut butter without the added oil found in regular peanut butter can taste good at all? Don't worry, that's what I thought, too. PB2 is made from slow-roasted peanuts that are pressed to remove 85 percent of the fat and calories. Sugar and salt are added to give the roasted peanuts a little bit more flavor.

With PB2 you make your own peanut butter by using the ratio of two tablespoons of PB2 powder and one tablespoon of water. Add more or less water based on your spreadability preference. I like the peanut butter to be thick, so I sometimes add less water, but that's the beauty of it... it's up to you.

PB2 is on the left and traditional peanut butter is on the right.

For a serving size of two tablespoons of peanut butter, there are 45 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 5 grams of carbs and 5 grams of protein. In comparison to traditional peanut butter, there are 180 calories, 15 grams of fat, 8 grams of carbs and 7 grams of protein.

In an effort to see if you can easily tell the difference between PB2 and regular peanut butter, I made my boyfriend a peanut butter and banana sandwich without him knowing that the peanut butter was made from PB2. After he'd taken a few bites of the sandwich, I asked him if he liked it, and he said he loved it. Then I asked if he knew what was in it and he responded, "peanut butter and banana, right?" After explaining to him that I made the peanut butter from powdered roasted peanuts and that it had less fat and calories than regular peanut butter, he said it still tasted great.

Just to make sure you definitely couldn't tell the difference, I gave my dad a blind taste test of peanut butter and PB2 and he couldn't tell the difference between the two. Trust me, if my dad doesn't complain, then you won't complain.

Make PB2 as thick or thin as you like.

Not only can you use PB2 for sandwiches or snacks, you can also prepare the necessary amount to add to cookie, cake, brownie and smoothie recipes. Basically, you can enjoy your favorite treats with a little less fat and calories. Not too shabby.

Some grocery stores also sell a chocolate PB2, which can easily take the place of Nutella, if you're addicted to that as well.